Sunday

October 3, 1999

Ross and I arrived at Hartsfield airport about 7:00 PM.  We met the rest of the crew at the gate. Charlie and Doc’s families were there to see us off and had made a great poster with “Happy Trails” and “Geezer Trek 99” printed in large letters.

Our plane was a Boeing 767, and Ross gave me his window seat.  What a guy!  It was dark and the City of Atlanta lights were beautiful.  Once we left Atlanta, there was nothing to see until we approached Las Vegas, Nevada.  The flight lasted four and a half hours.  As we approached Las Vegas, you could see the lights from far away.  As we drew nearer, the lights were unbelievably bright.  You could see the lights of all the famous casinos.  I didn’t realize that the city was just next to the airport.

Would you believe that there are slot machines in the airport?  We collected our bags at baggage claim and stood in line to get a taxi.  There were six of us with six full daypacks, and 8 huge bags, so we had to take two taxis.  The trunks were full and we each had a bag in our lap.  We took off in the taxis, one behind the other, doing 85 on the four lane, and 60 on the city streets, changing lanes like a crazed race car driver.  We zipped by some of the newer hotels; New York New York, Excaliber, MGM, Paris, Lexor, etc.  We stayed at the LaQuinta Inn. 

The rooms were nice and clean and thankfully there were no slot machines.   We arrived about 11:45 PM. (2:45 AM Ga. Time), unpacked, and hit the bed.  We had paired up, two to a room.  Just before I turned in, I was getting out my toothbrush when I found a note from Amanda that she had hidden in my bag.  The note read;   “Dad, I hope you have lots of fun on your trip!  Wish I was there!  Take lots of pictures for us to see!  Bon Voyage to the best Dad in the entire world. I love you very, very much. Love Amanda.”  That really made my day.                                          `          

Next day: Monday

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